LONDONDERRY — How would you answer the question, "What would you like the last chapter of your life to look like?"
It's not uncommon for someone to make a joke about how he or she might like the last moments of his or her life to be, but if pressed further, responses typically revolve around what someone hopes it won't be like.
Fears of losing control over decisions being made regarding health or personal care, the inability to think clearly, not wanting to be in pain or suffering, worries of burdening the family emotionally or financially, dying with unresolved issues, and a slow death are some of the uncertainties that arise when contemplating what the end of life might be like.
Even though we know we will die someday, the subject is avoided. It's as if merely talking about it may be an invitation for something to happen to us. Avoiding it then, might help in delaying it, right? Not likely but the subject is a difficult one and can make us feel very uncomfortable.
Although there are many situations that arise during the death process that are out of our control, there are some that we can at least attempt to manage. For those who have been diagnosed with a terminal illness, there are hospice services available that are designed to help manage the physical, emotional and spiritual needs of the patient.
When given the opportunity of early intervention, patients experience the benefits of maximum comfort as well as the support of social services and bereavement and pastoral counseling. These services are also extended to the patient's family or caregiver. The goal is to offer the patient an opportunity to live his or her "final chapter" to the fullest, in comfort and with dignity.
Unfortunately, the word "hospice" sometimes frightens people as they associate it with dying and may feel that in accepting hospice, they may somehow speed up the dying process.
Hospice is a concept of care that attempts to treat the patient as a whole person, addressing the patient's medical needs as well as supporting him or her through the journey emotionally and spiritually. It is not meant to hasten or delay death.
It is not uncommon for someone receiving hospice services to improve somewhat or to stabilize due to pain control and the extra support the patient is offered. The terminal diagnosis does not change but the quality of life may.
There are many other myths about hospice such as hospice is only offered to patients with cancer or HIV; patients must give up their primary care physician and that hospice is paid for privately, or once a patient begins hospice care he or she may not elect to end it to seek other curative means.
Hospice care may be provided to any individual with a life-limiting illness and one may keep one's primary care physician. Most insurances provide a hospice benefit, as does Medicare. If a patient decides to try a new drug or treatment that is meant for curative purposes, he or she may end hospice services and re-elect it in the future if desired.
At a difficult time, hospice can provide extra support for both the patient and family. Trained volunteers are also provided for companionship, support and respite. They become an integral part of the hospice team and are able to offer the gift of compassion and their time.
I would encourage anyone who is not sure whether he or she is eligible for hospice to talk to his or her physician or contact a local hospice agency to inquire.
The staff at Amedisys Hospice Services of Londonderry would be happy to answer questions for you. Amedisys serves the southern New Hampshire area for both patients at home and at nursing facilities.
The agency will be offering a training for volunteers in September. For more information, call 603-421-0414.
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Donna Nichols is the volunteer coordinator for Amedisys Hospice Services
